Health Sciences EMT

The EMT Program and Health Sciences curriculum provides students with the technical knowledge and practical skills training for a career in pre-hospital care and other allied health professions. The EMT program focuses on the critical thinking skills necessary to meet the rigorous testing standards of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and reciprocal state certification and licensing requirements.

Students who successfully earn the NREMT and State EMT Certifications, will meet minimal occupational requirements to start a career in Emergency Medical Services and related allied health fields. The EMT program is instrumental in launching the careers of students as professional firefighters, EMTs and paramedics with pre-hospital care providers, emergency room technicians, burn unit technicians, as well as a variety of other full and part-time opportunities within the industry.

EMT certification has also become a valuable stepping stone in the path of students pursuing careers as physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, and other health professions, by offering a distinct advantage in patient assessment and critical intervention skills, as well as the ability to obtain valuable work experience.

Program Highlights

A highly experienced faculty of instructors who are currently active professionals in EMS and have extensive experience in teaching both the EMT and Paramedic curriculum.

A strong emphasis on developing critical thinking skills, practical and critical intervention skills, and a dynamic course curriculum based on the National EMS Education Standards for EMTs.

Sierra College EMT students have a first-time pass rate of 87% on the National EMT (NREMT) certifying exam, and an overall pass rate of 94% after second attempts.

Program Courses

EMT - Emergency Medical Technician: HSCI 002

The EMT program is a comprehensive curriculum of lecture and training that provides knowledge
and critical thinking skills necessary to provide Emergency Medical Care in a
pre-hospital environment. Covers legal and moral aspects, scene safety, primary
and secondary patient assessments, intervention and stabilization skills,
proper use of emergency medical equipment, awareness of bloodborne pathogens
and communicable diseases, recognizing signs and symptoms, and pathophysiology
of medical emergencies and traumatic injuries. Includes practical hands-on skills training
and interactive simulations. Twenty-four
(24) hours of Clinical Experience is an assigned field ride-along and/or
clinical hospital internship. Attendance
and participation is mandatory; an accumulative score of 80% on all written
quizzes and exams, and a passing score on all NREMT practical skills testing is
required for successful course completion.

Meets the EMT-1
curriculum requirements of the California Code of Regulations Title 22, the
California EMS Authority and the National Registry of Emergency Medical
Technicians (NREMT). Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take
the National Registry EMT certifying examination and qualify for a California State
EMT certification. A total of 166 course
hours include: 142 lecture and skills
lab, and 24 hours of assigned field/clinical internship.

Course Prerequisites:

Students must be 18 years of age at start of EMT
course;

A current CPR certification from American Heart
Association BLS for Healthcare Providers or a Professional Rescuer CPR card
from American Red Cross. CPR
Certification must remain current throughout the entire semester.

Provide proof of measles, mumps, and rubella
(MMR) immunization.

Provide proof of negative tuberculin (TB) skin
test taken within 3 months of start of course.

Provide proof of completed Hepatitis B vaccine
series with a positive Hep B titer test, OR
sign a declination of refusal form.

Provide proof of a current season flu
shot vaccination.

Provide proof of a current criminal
background. Specifics will be covered on
first day of class

Advisory:

Highly recommend completion of HSCI 7 and BIOL 55 with
grades of "C" or better; eligibility
for ENGL 11

EMR - Emergency Medical Responder: HSCI 007

The EMR-Emergency Medical Responder is a 54 hour course that
provides the knowledge and skills for individuals to provide initial response
emergency medical care. Training includes oxygen administration, airway adjuncts,
bag valve mask, splinting and spinal immobilization. Emphasizes patient
assessment and medical interventions at the First Responder level. Meets the National Curriculum Standards for
Emergency Medical Responders. Curriculum
includes the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the Health Care
Provider CPR card and the Emergency Medical Responder Certificate of Completion
issued with grade of "C" or better.
The Course is highly recommended prior to enrolling in the HSCI 02 EMT
Course.

Introduction to Paramedic Training: HSCI 50

The HSCI 50 Intro to Paramedic course is 80 hours of comprehensive lecture and training to introduce the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to prepare for a Paramedic Program. The course is assessment based with a focus on EMT and paramedic interventions. Advanced skills introduced in the course include EKG recognition and interpretation; Pharmacology; Advanced Airway Management; IV and IO fluid and drug administration; Principles of Pathophysiology in Emergency Medical Care; and Introduction to Local and National ALS Protocols. Practical lab sessions will focus on improving patient assessment techniques, realistic case study scenarios, and introduction to paramedic ALS skills and interventions. The course format is interactive and will simulate the intense pace and discipline often required of a paramedic program curriculum. Student participation and passing of written exams and practical skills assessments will be required for successful course completion and to meet the minimal prerequisite requirements of several regional paramedic programs.

80 hours continuing education (CE) credit will be awarded to student who successfully meet the course completion and attendance requirements.